Halfway through the year. Time to pause and think.
Academics are going well. Property Development group project is intense - different working styles, occasional friction, but learning how to collaborate effectively. Urban Planning exceeded expectations - real case studies, directly applicable to investment decisions.
My Surveillance State articles generated more response than expected. Some agreement, some disagreement, some private messages from people who appreciated someone speaking up but weren't comfortable doing so themselves. Writing matters, even with a small audience.
Getting better at boundaries. Saying no. Protecting time. Not feeling guilty about prioritizing what matters.
Also more comfortable with uncertainty. Not every question has a clear answer. Sometimes you just make the best decision you can with available information and adjust as you learn more.
The internship I wanted fell through. Budget cuts. Initially disappointed but choosing to see it as space to focus on studies and personal projects.
For second half: fewer articles with more depth. Lighter course load next semester. Better self-care - sleep, exercise, nutrition. These aren't luxuries.